United Methodist Women Opposes Texas Abortion Law

NEW YORK – As an organization committed to addressing the needs of women and girls, United Methodist Women today released the statement below comparing the position on abortion taken by The United Methodist Church to that of the recent Texas legislation, and highlighting the adverse impact the law will have on women who are poor and marginalized. The group issued the following statement:

Over a period of many decades, The United Methodist Church has crafted a position on abortion that respects the sacredness of life and recognizes tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, holding that in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures (The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016, ¶161, K)  The United Methodist Church also denounces sexual and gender-based violence, including rape, noting that access to medically safe reproductive health services is necessary for survivors. (The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, 2016, # 3427).  

United Methodist Women affirms these positions and so opposes the new Texas law on abortion as a danger to women and an intrusion on families.   

United Methodist Women, like The United Methodist Church, affirms that women and families need access to the full range of reproductive health care, with the guidance the church provides. United Methodist Women, like the United Methodist Church, believe governmental laws and regulations do not provide all the guidance required for the informed Christian conscience. Therefore, a decision concerning abortion should be made only after thoughtful and prayerful consideration by the parties involved, with medical, family, pastoral, and other appropriate counsel. 

Instead, the Texas law usurps this critical decision-making process for women and families by banning abortion before most women know they are pregnant. This will have a particularly adverse impact on women and families who have low incomes and women who are in abusive relationships. 

We pray that legislators in states across the country will make a different choice and allow women to discuss health care needs with their loved ones and healthcare providers.

---

United Methodist Women is the nation’s largest denominational organization for women. Members turn their faith, hope, and love into action, raising more than $10 million annually to support community centers and other programs empowering women, children, and youth in the United States and around the world.

###

Contact: Yvette Moore, ymoore@unitedmethodistwomen.org